British Waterways recently took delivery
of a new 57ft narrowboat fitted with TELCO's Selectric diesel/electric
system. Warde Aldham will operate as an engineer's inspection boat
for the North East waterways, and as a test-bed for investigating
alternative propulsion systems for inland vessels. The Selectric
system retains the existing diesel engine, which drives through
a conventional shaft and propeller, with the addition of an electric
motor and battery pack to give silent propulsion for canal use.

BW are so pleased with the craft that they have ordered
a second boat, this time for their Operations Division. On this
vessel the batteries will also supply a 5kW inverter, delivering
240V power, which will be used to run the cooking equipment, plus
computers and video systems.

EA's electric patrol boat
sets distance record

The Environment Agency's
Thames patrol boat Colne won the Electric Boat Association's coveted
Emsworth Trophy for the longest cruise under electric power for
2001. The boat is fitted with TELCO's Selectric system, and drove
on electric power only the full length of the Thames, from Inglesham
at the head of navigation, down through the tideway in London, then
up the River Lee to Waltham Abbey. Here it was a star attraction
at the annual Inland Waterways Festival. The 150- mile journey took
five days, re-charging overnight at the electric points installed
by the EA at several Thames locks.

Minister hears about electric
boats

Lord Whitty, Minister for the Waterways,
attended a presentation organised by the Electric Boat Association.
He heard speeches by the EBA, the Environment Agency, British Waterways
and the British Marine Federation, detailing the advances made in
electric propulsion, and the vessels that it has been applied to.
He then met various private and trade members of the EBA, who discussed
their craft with him, and put forward his own suggestions as to
how incentives could be provided to convert boats to electric power.

TELCO's Emrhys Barrell talks to Waterways Minister, Lord Whitty.

TELCO opens the show

An Interboat 19, provided by The Thames Electric Launch
Company, carried the opening party for the 2002 Crick Boat Show.
TV presenter John Craven gave the opening address for this the third
Inland Boat Show.

TELCO Guinness World Endurance
Record Ratified

The Thames Electric Launch
Company's Electric Boat Endurance record has been ratified by Guinness
World Records. The Certificate recognises the 137 miles in 30 hours
as an official world record.

Stratford gets electric
hire-boats

Visitors to
Stratford-upon-Avon this year had the opportunity to hire self-drive
electric dayboats for use on the bard's river. Hire-boat operatorsGH
Rose have developed a fleet of 12ft, six-seater boats using TELCO's
Combi 700 Outboards. These are connected to a wheel-steering system,
giving novice drivers complete control, while a bank of CMP traction
batteries provide a full day's use. Stratford Council will now only
issue licences to electric hire-boats on the river, to remove noise
and pollution, and these boats complement Rose's existing 45ft passenger
launches, which are now also electric powered.